From the land of stalled builds V 2.0

AMT's ancient GMC Astro. Only my 3rd truck kit, and thanks to some less than clear instructions, a slow project.

Many trips downstairs to the interweb to try resolve issues.

Chassis is Brunswick Green, cheap auto store brand. I've just started on the brake plumbing.

Interior is timeless 70s classic. Mission Brown.

I tried a new method of hiding the fuel tank joins. Once I'd filled filled & sanded them, I used BMF only on the ends, and tried to get the
edge of the BMF right on the radius of the tank ends. Worked OK too. The gloss isn't that good, but will do for the ends.

Awesome !! I have this one in the stash. but plan on using the chassis for a Resin International cab. If you need the instructions scanned and emailed, I can do so.

Thanks for the kind offer Sam. I have the 'destructions' but they're not very informative.
It's been s-l-o-w build, unlike cars where you can race through basic assemblies.

Anyhow it's coming along. I plan on painting the cab white or perhaps a ligher green.

Some lettering along the lines of "Green Line Haulage"

Chris

It's looking good Chris. Colour for the chassis is spot on.

Looking very good, Chris. Great chrome on the tank and wheels. And a nice scuff on the tires.

  

 Good start Chris. The chassis is sweet.

Looks great so far, Doing the brake lines will help add realism too. Best o' luck!

There is so much neat detail in these trucks to do, you should unstall this baby and "git 'er done".

Geezerman wrote:There is so much neat  detail in these trucks to do, you should unstall this baby and "git 'er done".

Heres she is on a bright & fine Autumn Saturday morning. The 'green leaker' fitted, front brake plumbing done- I've cheated here & just run the lines
through the chassis. You can't see much inside the chassis in the engine area anyway.

Working on the cab ATM. The instructions arn't all that clear about cab mounts so I'm proceeding cautiously there.



Interior is cheap auto store Mission Brown & Dulcote. Some BMF, knobs are stretched & heated sprue. A bit more to do, some screw heads, black wash here & there. Iheated the bed up with a lighter to make it a bit lumpy. OOB it looked like a drill sargents dream, smooth & taut enough to bounce a coin off. Blanket is some green tape on the ends & Dulcote over the lot.

 

Oh yea, the little details and color combo really add to it.

It's looking good Chris. The dash looks terrific.

Question: Would the steering wheel match the interior or are you yet to paint the final colour?

From a retired truck engineer, this looks great. Nice detailing on both paint and parts!

Skid wrote:It's looking good Chris. The dash looks terrific.

Question: Would the steering wheel match the interior or are you yet to paint the final colour?

Al, I'm leaning to the 'match the interior colour' ( and spell check wants ("color"). I downloaded a pic which has the whole interior, including steering wheel in the same colour. In the pics case "bordello red"!

That maybe an optional trim level, for all I know the poverty pack version
may be plainer.

Got the cab shot with white yesterday. It's bled back from the shut lines, so another go tomorrow,
if the weather be fine.

No pics- not worth wasting electrons on it!

Chris

Update. Got the cab painted & fitted out. I sanded all the rivet heads & panel joins out, for a cleaner look. And less bleed back too. Its not OEM, but I'll live with it.

The cab is now on the chassis, and the air filter & exhaust stacks are now curing.




Sorting out the gear shift linkage. A parts bin drive shaft, modified to suit. Not 100% accurate, but it conveys the feel well enough I reckon.
I've scratch built the casting on top of the gearbow that the shaft enters. Again, its the impression I'm after, not rivet counting obsession.
I rewired my home phone/internet wiring recently, so the black & red from the old wireing makes good battery cables.

It's on the last lap now, expect a NMA in the near future. Cab is on the chassis, exhaust & intake plumbing is sorted & glue curing.
I tried BMF & even alfoil on the mufflers, not happy, so Brunswick Green it is. The stacks are drinking straws, covered with BMF.

Hi Mr W,

She is looking veeeeery nice Sir, I do like these old GMC's, nice touch with the gear shift linkage too...

Andy...

You are right about this bing a slow build. BUT, you are doing an exceptional job. Keep at it.

Looking good. The cab came out beautifully.

Nice looking old Jimmy!!

Looking good, Chris.

Nice one Chris.

Johnag wrote:Hi Mr W,

She is looking veeeeery nice Sir, I do like these old GMC's, nice touch with the gear shift linkage too...

Andy...

Thanks Andy, I don't know why AMT missed it out- there's plenty of unused parts such as alternative fuel tanks, exhaust & inlet systems.
Yet they can't manage a gear linkage? The drive shaft was just about perfect for the job.

The instructions are a PITA, no numbers on the parts or sprue, so one is constantly turning the 'destructions' over to get to the parts breakdown.
I got tired of that quickly so I cut the breakdown out.

I've coiled the trailer air hoses, need to do some more research on them though.

Not sure where I'l display the beast, its easily the tallest automotive kit I've built.

Nearly there!